THE summary expulsion of three student leaders -- Vivid Gwede, Samson Nxumalo and Kurayi Hoyi, and the fateful, two-year suspension of six other student activists namely, Sheunesu Nyoni, Power Mabhoyi, Edius Mucheuka, Kudakwashe Maguchu, Nyasha Nyakura and Emmanuel Munyenyiwa, by the National University of Science and Technology administration is a classical instance of just addressing the symptoms rather than the causes of the demonstrations over exorbitant tertiary fees, which have reduced the status of our education sector.

This development represents a calculated clamp-down on the students' union, a wanton deprivation of the right to education (just as these exorbitant tertiary fees), a gross intellectual violence, a merciless attack on academic freedoms and the right to freedom of expression and of association, simply because the majority of students and all the student leaders are viewed as the agents of regime change by all the university authorities in this country.

These very cynical authorities in all universities in this country are appointees of a previous absolutist government in Zimbabwe. So, this great fiasco at NUST is not just a passing event but a reality of life under the unity government.

In fact, the whole procedure for appointing vice-chancellors to Zimbabwe universities as well as the chancellor should be thoroughly revisited to make that endeavour more professional, democratic and non-partisan. Currently, Zimbabwe stands to gain nothing at all simply because critical thinking has been denied us at this very tender stage.

On a national scale, the unity government set-up only gives the Zanu PF oppressors and all that party's petty protégé oppressors, like vice-chancellors the carrot and also the stick in form of the socio-economic gains that have been realised so far.

The Prime Minister should not be complicit in these human rights violations by remaining tight-lipped although students are aware that Zanu PF is the chief author of our troubles. The PM should unequivocally take the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Dr Stan Mudenge to task over what's happening in the higher and tertiary education sector especially in relation to high tertiary fees and to the very hefty high school examination fees and the myriad of Zimsec scandals.

In fact, a lot of Zimbabwe students are worried already, why the MDC-T did not claim this very important, highly developmental empowerment ministry.

The strike by National University of Science and Technology lecturers magnifies the drama at that institution and many others (some more students have also been suspended from the Great Zimbabwe University and the Midlands State University) on the back of massive decline in enrolment and failure of the de-registered students to return to college this new academic year.

This is a call to all students to rise against all our challenges. Zinasu must unite now!

Recently expelled from NUST.